Junk basket



March 8, 1960 I B. M. CALDWELL JUNK BASKEI Filed Aug. 6. 1956 INVENTOR.

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JUNK BASKET Blake M. Caldwell, Fort Worth, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Welex, 1116-, Fort Worth, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application August 6, 1956, Serial No. 602,189 9 Claims. (Cl. 166-99) This invention relates to an improved junk basket.

In the completion of wells such as oil and gas wells drilled by the rotary method it has been the practice to perforate the well casing adjacent the producing forma-.

.become the depositories of foreign material neither conducive to the drilling nor the, ultimate production of the well. It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved junk basket for retrieving such debris and other material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a junk basket which may be lowered into a well prior to perforating the well casing to catch the debris resulting from the perforating process.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide such a junk basket which may be lowered to the desired position within the well then released from the lowering mechanism permitting the latter to be withdrawn from the well prior to the perforation process.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a junk basket which will prevent any debris from passing beyond the basket and to accumulate such debris in condition to be removed from the well.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a junk basket which may be retrieved from the well after a the use thereof by means of a conventional fishing tool.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a junk basket which will filter fluids upon passage therethrough during lifting of the basket out of the well.

Other objects and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section of a device embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View similar to Figure 2 after release of the basket.

The invention generally comprises a member such as a firing and cable head 80 suspended by a wireline or conductor cable, not shown, which member is connected through a shear stud 60 to support a stinger 50 or similar member engagable by a fishing tool, the aforesaid "stinger supporting a perforated basket 10. The assem- 1 blage is adapted to be lowered to debris receiving position within a well whereupon the shear stud 6% is severed through the firing of an explosive charge '76 and the firing and cable head 80 and associated members disengaged from the stinger and removed from the well. The basket 10 is thereby left within the well to receive debris caused by perforating or other well operations, after which it ates atent 0 The basket 10, in this embodiment, is formed of several sections. A cylindrical bottom plug 12 has an upper threaded extremity 14, a lower extremity having a ventilating bore 16 therein permitting well fluids to pass through the basket, and a central connector rod receiving bore 18. 1

The threaded extremity 14 screws into the internally threaded bottom fitting 20 of the central or perforated basket section 22. This central section has a central element comprising a cylinder 24 with a plurality of apertures 26 therein which cylinder telescopically receives the upper portion of the bottom fitting 20 abutting against an annular shoulder 28 formed thereon andis welded thereto. Similarly, the upper extremity of cylinder 24 telescopically receives the lower extremity of upper fitting 30, seats against annular shoulder 32 therein and is welded thereto. Y

The upper seetion'34 of the basket has a lower retaining ring 36 having an externally threaded extremity 38 which screws into the upper fitting 30 of central or basket section 22. v This lower retaining ring 36'has an inclined upper surface forming a seat for rubber cup 40. An upper retaining ring 42 has an inclined lower face complementary to the upper'surface of ring 36 and screws 44 .secure the upper ring to the lower ring with rubber cup may settle in the well is directed into the basket. Well fluids may circulate through the perforations or apertures 26 and bore 16 which are sutliciently small to block passage of debris therethrough.

As previously stated, the basket 10 is connected to the stinger 50, and as here shown, the bottom plug 1?. has a bore 18 for accommodating a suitable connecting element. In this embodiment the connecting element is a connector rod 46, a threaded portion of which screws through threaded bore 18 and nut 48 screws onto the threaded end of the connector rod locking said rod and enabling said rod to support the basket 10. The upper extremity of the connector rod 46 screws into the lower extremity of stinger 50, the basket 10 thereby being supported. A collar 52 fits upon the connector rod 46 and is welded or otherwise connected thereto forming an abut ment shoulder 54 for the lower extremity of the stinger. The stinger has a bore 56 extending therethrough and a plurality of external annular shoulders 58 at its upper extiiemity suitable for grasping by a conventional fishing too A shear stud 60 is inserted into the bore 56 which stud has an enlarged head 62 at its lower extremity which seats against a shoulder 64 formed in bore 56, which shoulder enables the stud 60 to support the stinger 50 and hence the basket 10. The stud 60 has a threaded upper extremity of sufficieritlysmall diameter to pass shoulder 64 and which screws into the internally threaded lower extremity of adapter 66 which projects within the enlarged upper portion of bore 56 of stinger 50.

The shear stud 60 has a bore 68 therein which extend from its upper extremity substantially the length of the shear stud 6t) terminating before head 62. Into this shear stud bore 68 an explosive charge 70 is positioned being retained therein by clip 72 against movement during lowering of the basket into the well. 7

O ring 74, between head 62 of the shear pinand stinger 5'0, preventsentry of well fluids into bore 56. Similarly Patented Mar. 8, 1960 r an ring 76 between the lower extremity of the adapter and stinger 50 prevents entry of well fluids into bore 56. The adapter 66 has a bore or flame passage 78 therein which communicates with and forms an extension of bore 68 in shear stud 60.

The upper extremity of adapter 66 is externally threaded to screw into the lower extremity of a conventional firing and cable head 86, not shown. The cable head is, of course, suspended in the well by a common wire line or conductor cable, likewise not shown. 0 ring 82, between the adapter and cable head, prevents entry of well fluids into the cable head. The cable head contains therein an explosive charge which, when fired, as by means of the ordinary go-devil or electricity, shoots a flame down flame passage 78 and bore 68 thereby firing explosive charge 7 0. The firing of charge 70 breaks shear stud 60 thereby disconnecting the stinger 50, connector rod 46 and junk basket from the adapter 66, as illustrated in Figure 3.

One means serving the foregoing functions is shown in US. Patent 2,733,657, issued February 7, 1956, C. M. Bryant et al., Apparatus for Forming Perforations in Wells." In Fig. 1 of the Bryant et al. patent, the detonator head 3 serves as a cable head for the conductor cable 2 and the housing 6 corresponds to applicants element 80, If the lower plug 8 and Primacords of Bryant et al. are removed and replaced by applicants adapter 66 and the structure suspended therefrom, it is evident that when the detonator 69 is fired, the flame will shoot down the passage 78 and bore 68 to fire the explosive charge 70. The structure of a head for applicants purposes is thus seen to have been previously disclosed by Bryant et al.

Thus, in operation the cable head 80 carrying the junk basket 10 is lowered into the Well until the basket reaches the desired position, for example, on top of a valve already positioned in the well. The explosive charge is fired in the cable head 80 resulting in firing of charge 70 shearing stud 60 thereby breaking the basket supporting assembly and releasing the basket. The cable head is then removed from the well and the casing perforated or other well operation carried out, the resulting debris settling into the basket 10.

When it is desired to remove the basket, a conventional fishing tool may be lowered into the well to engage the stinger 50 whereby basket 10 may be removed from the well. As the basket is raised, the well fluids above the basket are filtered therethrough, thus avoiding any debris passing below the basket.

The invention thus described shows an improved junk basket which is readily lowered into place in the well through supporting means which may conveniently be separated from the basket in lowered position and itself removed so that subsequent well operations may proceed, the junk basket being provided with means for ready removal from the well after its function is performed. It will immediately be apparent to one apprised of the invention that it is adaptable to connection with other well tools for lowering and use therewith. Thus, for example, the firing or cable head 80 may be adapted through common means for atfixing to the lower extremity of, for example, a well perforator, and suitable circuitry arranged so that upon firing of the gun perforator the previously mentioned explosive charge within said firing head may itself fire explosive charge 70 whereby perforator firing head 39 and adaptor 66 may be removed from the well. The basket may then remain in the well to collect settling debris after which it may be removed as previously described.

While what hereinbefore has been described is the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is readily apparent that alterations and modifications can be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention and such alterations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted (iii to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; means including an explosive charge and means for firing said charge for releasably connecting said connecting element to said member operable to release said connecting element at a desired location in the well; and a perforated basket secured on said connecting element.

2. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said connecting element; a perforated basket secured on said connecting element; and means including an explosive charge and means for firing said charge for releasably connecting said connecting element to said member operable to release said connecting element at a desired location in the well; said stinger projecting above said connecting element and having a plurality of external shoulders at its upper extremity suitable for grasping'by a conventional fishing tool for removing said device from the well.

3. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said connecting element; a perforated basket secured on said connecting element; and means including an explosive charge and means for firing said charge for releasably connecting said connecting element to said member operable to release said connecting ele ment at a desired location in the well; said means for firing said charge being operable from the surface of the well, and said stinger projecting above said connecting element and having a plurality of external shoulders at its upper extremity suitable for grasping by a conventional fishing tool for removing said device from the well.

4. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said connecting element; a perforated basket carried by said connecting element; a shear stud connecting said stinger to said member; an explosive charge in said shear stud which, upon firing, breaks said stud whereby to free said stinger, to separate said stinger, said connectin element and said perforated basket; and

' means for firing said explosive charge.

5. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said connecting element; a perforated basket secured on said connecting element; means for releasably connecting said connecting element to said member, said means including an explosive charge which, upon firing, releases said stinger, connecting element and perforated basket and means for firing said explosive charge; said stinger being adapted to be engaged by a fishing tool for retrieving said device from the well.

6. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element, said connecting element being releasably connected to said member by means including an explosive charge and means for firing said charge to release said connecting element; and a junk basket connected to said connecting element which basket includes a perforated area and a resilient cup at its upper extremity.

7. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element, said connecting element being releasably connected to said member by means including an explosive charge and means for firing said charge to release said connecting elemerit; a junk basket connected to said connecting element which basket includes a perforated area and a resilient cup at its upper extremity, which cup is slightly larger in di- 5 ameter than the inner diameter of the casing of the well into which the device is lowered.

8. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said connecting element; a shear stud connecting said stinger to said member; an explosive charge in said shear stud which, upon firing, breaks said stud freeing said stinger and connecting elementrfrom said member; a junk basket connected to said connecting element which basket includes a perforated area and a resilient cup at its upper extremity; and means for firing said explosive charge.

9. A device for accumulating debris in a well adapted to be lowered into said well suspended from a member supported by a cable comprising: a connecting element; a stinger secured to said element; a shear stud connecting said stinger to said member; an explosive charge in said shear stud which, upon firing, breaks said stud freeing into which the device is lowered; and means for firing said explosive charge. I

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,862 g I 1,135,809 Jones Apr. 13', 1915 1,487,061 Heflin L Mar. 18,1924 1,623,543 Jones etal. Apr. 5, 1927 2,002,140 Dillon May 21, 1935 2,618,345 Tucker Nov. 18, 1952 2,657,576 Boykin Nov. '3, 1953 2,815,817 Conrad Dec. 10, 1957 Steel Feb. 1, 1910 

